For more than 50 years the attention of the curious and the interest of fitógrafos, the albino canary palm nestled in La Palma “the beautiful island”. Surprised by its striking mix of green and yellow color is due to the absence of chlorophyll in their leaves, making it extremely sensitive to a variety, rare botanical phenomenon has been studied by academics and botanical and whose attempts to play have failed.
Text and photos by Carlo Morici biologist at palm.
“Palm trees have leaves variegated fluted white or yellow and are very rare in the world. It is especially rare to find with these features, Phoenix canariensis is an adult albino only.
It is a female specimen has not been able to reproduce, the owner told me a few years ago that regularly produces seeds, but born albino seedlings that are completely without chlorophyll, therefore die after a few months of life.
The palm side Mirca spontaneously sprouted a home, where owners were worried at first because it was a palm tree that was born too close to home, but decided not to touch, as it looked strange and was slower than usual.
In the Canary Islands there are few Phoenix canariensis with variegated leaves, only in Gran Canaria and La Gomera, but none seem to be as flashy as palm Mirca, that is admired and mentioned by palm enthusiasts worldwide”.
